Search form

Search form

U.S. schools can no longer serve low-fat flavored milk under regulations announced as part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. The rule, which will go into effect in the coming school year, still allows fat-free flavored milk, and also requires that schools offer 8-ounce containers of milk with every breakfast and lunch served.

Related Summaries

Federal legislation has been introduced to ensure students have more milk options in school and that the beverage is provided at every meal under school nutrition regulations. Under the bill from Reps. Glenn Thompson, R-Pa., and Joe Courtney, D-Conn., low-fat flavored milk with up to 150 calories per 8-ounce serving would be allowed under federal regulations along with low-fat plain milk, fat-free plain milk and fat-free flavored milk.

The 60-day public comment period for a proposal to alter the rules for snacks served in schools, announced Feb. 1, concluded earlier this week. The proposal, unveiled by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, sets a 200-calorie limit for snacks sold by schools and also restricts the amount of sugar, fat and salt in such snacks.

New federal standards for school meals that passed as part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 went into effect on Sunday, requiring that at least 50% of the grains served be whole grains. Other portions of the law, including limits on fat and salt content in meals, will be phased in through 2014. Dr. Jatinder Bhatia, chair of the AAP committee on nutrition, said it is important for families also to adopt healthier eating habits and suggested that schools host cooking classes.

New federal school nutrition guidelines could reduce students' consumption of milk, according to the International Dairy Foods Association. The guidelines, supported by the association, prevent schools from serving milk other than fat-free or low-fat plain milk and fat-free flavored milk. "Eliminating low-fat flavored milks, which kids like, and still allowing a wide variety a la carte beverages like juice beverages, sports drinks and soda at schools will reduce milk consumption," said Connie Tipton, IDFA president and CEO.

School districts in Ohio are responding to proposed school-lunch standards that call for fat-free flavored milk by offering students locally produced TruMoo. The milk has no fat, less sugar and fewer calories than regular chocolate milk.